Cedelf P. Tupas
Two Indonesian football clubs have expressed interest in tapping the services of Philippine team skipper Aly Borromeo.
The 27-year-old Borromeo, who plays central defense for the Azkals, told the Inquirer that Semarang United and the Medan Chiefs have contacted him for a possible deal to play in the Indonesian Premiere League.
“I’m still negotiating right now and if the league is a go and the offer is something I can’t refuse then I’ll do it for a few years,” said Borromeo, who currently plays for Kaya FC in the United Football League.
Borromeo has also been invited to try out with a few teams in League 1, the third-tier league in English football. Among the teams are Plymouth and Brighton, he said.
But Borromeo is intrigued by the offer to play in Indonesia since the “money is better.”
Phil and James Younghusband, who are Borromeo’s teammates in the national team, have also been offered a contract to play with Jakarta FC in the IPL, considered by the Indonesian Football Federation as a “rebel league.”
But the deal has been stalled because of concerns that the brothers could be sanctioned for playing in a league not sanctioned by the International Football Federation (Fifa).
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta yesterday said he will ensure that the national players will be protected when they play in Indonesia.
“We want to look after the interests of our players,” said Araneta. “We know there is a problem in Indonesia but it’s an internal problem. We want to make sure that our players can still play for the national team.”
Borromeo said that the league set to be put up by PFF sponsor Smart Communications is “promising.”
“However, I also have to concentrate on my own career and clubs abroad are interested,” Borromeo said.
“The support towards football abroad is still far from our local league. Hopefully in the near future we can make a comfortable living playing locally.”
inquirer.net
15 February 2011
14 February 2011
CAFC starts sending invitations for nat’l tilt
THE CEBU Amateur Football Club (CAFC) has started sending out invitations to prospective teams for the 11th National Interclub Football Cup tournament set to kickoff on May 21 in different football fields in Cebu City.
Categories to be contested are boys 10, boys 12, boys 14, boys 17, 40 and above and the men's open.
Francis Ramirez of the CAFC said they have held off holding girls and ladies categories due to the scarcity of girls team for an 11-a- side tournament.
At least four teams are needed for a competition to be held in the girls age-group categories as well as in the ladies open.
The same as last year, the CAFC will shoulder the transportation within Cebu City of teams coming from out of town. The club will also be providing visiting teams with accommodation.
Registration for the group categories is pegged at P1,000 while P5,000 is pegged for teams wanting to compete in the men's open and 40 and above.
The Interclub is considered as one of the biggest football tournaments conducted outside of Manila.
Last year's 10th edition of the tournament had attracted a total of 36 teams.
The CAFC also made last year's edition interesting by opening it with a football carnival, wherein football gears were given away as prizes for various games set-up around a match between selected teams.
/CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON
Cebu Daily News
Categories to be contested are boys 10, boys 12, boys 14, boys 17, 40 and above and the men's open.
Francis Ramirez of the CAFC said they have held off holding girls and ladies categories due to the scarcity of girls team for an 11-a- side tournament.
At least four teams are needed for a competition to be held in the girls age-group categories as well as in the ladies open.
The same as last year, the CAFC will shoulder the transportation within Cebu City of teams coming from out of town. The club will also be providing visiting teams with accommodation.
Registration for the group categories is pegged at P1,000 while P5,000 is pegged for teams wanting to compete in the men's open and 40 and above.
The Interclub is considered as one of the biggest football tournaments conducted outside of Manila.
Last year's 10th edition of the tournament had attracted a total of 36 teams.
The CAFC also made last year's edition interesting by opening it with a football carnival, wherein football gears were given away as prizes for various games set-up around a match between selected teams.
/CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON
Cebu Daily News
PFF wants to stage W’Cup qualifier in Manila
By Francis Santiago
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines hosting a World Cup qualifier may seem impossible at this time.
But don’t tell that to Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
The Philippine Football Federation chief believes the country can do it as long as the 30,000-seater Rizal Memorial football stadium in Manila is primed up for the task.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said recently that repairs have started in the 77-year-old stadium, including the installation of new lighting.
The renovation started under Garcia’s predecessor, former PSC chair Harry Angping, who forged an alliance with De La Salle University for the project now nearing its completion.
“If the renovation is complete, then we can host it,” Araneta said yesterday referring to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers set to begin this summer.
“The stadium can host fans as many as 30,000.”
Araneta is expecting a huge turn out should the hosting dream comes into fruition. His assessment was based on the overwhelming crowd support in the Philippine Azkals’ 2-0 victory over Mongolia the first leg of their AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match last week in Bacolod City where some 20,000 watched the game live at the Panaad Stadium.
If it happens, it will only be the second time in the Philippine football history that the country will host such a prestigious event, forward Yanti Barsales, who has been with the national team since 1991, said yesterday.
The last time was in 2001 when the Philippines hosted their “home” game against Laos at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City (formerly ULTRA).
The game ended in a 1-1 draw and the Philippines failed to advance into the next stage.
Manila Bulletin
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines hosting a World Cup qualifier may seem impossible at this time.
But don’t tell that to Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.
The Philippine Football Federation chief believes the country can do it as long as the 30,000-seater Rizal Memorial football stadium in Manila is primed up for the task.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said recently that repairs have started in the 77-year-old stadium, including the installation of new lighting.
The renovation started under Garcia’s predecessor, former PSC chair Harry Angping, who forged an alliance with De La Salle University for the project now nearing its completion.
“If the renovation is complete, then we can host it,” Araneta said yesterday referring to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers set to begin this summer.
“The stadium can host fans as many as 30,000.”
Araneta is expecting a huge turn out should the hosting dream comes into fruition. His assessment was based on the overwhelming crowd support in the Philippine Azkals’ 2-0 victory over Mongolia the first leg of their AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match last week in Bacolod City where some 20,000 watched the game live at the Panaad Stadium.
If it happens, it will only be the second time in the Philippine football history that the country will host such a prestigious event, forward Yanti Barsales, who has been with the national team since 1991, said yesterday.
The last time was in 2001 when the Philippines hosted their “home” game against Laos at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City (formerly ULTRA).
The game ended in a 1-1 draw and the Philippines failed to advance into the next stage.
Manila Bulletin
UFL - Sunday`s Results
Results from Sunday`s matches in UFL :
February 13, 2011
Union Internacional Manila 0 - 5 Pasargad FC Alabang Country Club
Stallions FC 7 - 0 Dolphins FC Alabang Country Club
Loyola Agila Futbol Club 0 - 4 Air Force Rider Alabang Country Club
Kaya FC 1 - 0 Green Archers Orient Freight Alabang Country Club
Army Fritz and Macziol IBM 2 - 1 Navy FC University of Makati
Nomads FC - Lions FC Nomads Sports Club, Merville
Sunken Garden United FC - Japan FC Nomads Sports Club, Merville
February 13, 2011
Union Internacional Manila 0 - 5 Pasargad FC Alabang Country Club
Stallions FC 7 - 0 Dolphins FC Alabang Country Club
Loyola Agila Futbol Club 0 - 4 Air Force Rider Alabang Country Club
Kaya FC 1 - 0 Green Archers Orient Freight Alabang Country Club
Army Fritz and Macziol IBM 2 - 1 Navy FC University of Makati
Nomads FC - Lions FC Nomads Sports Club, Merville
Sunken Garden United FC - Japan FC Nomads Sports Club, Merville
13 February 2011
Four MVP firms putting up squads for nat’l club football
Four companies owned by tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan will be linking up with teams for the National Club Football Championship slated late this year.
Smart Sports head Patrick Gregorio said Meralco, Maynilad, Smart and Cignal TV have signified their intention to sponsor a team each in the tournament.
Smart will be partnering with Kaya FC, the club team of Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo and Anton del Rosario.
Kaya plays in the United Football League, which will have two slots in the national tournament. The top two finishers in the UFL will gain berths to the finals, along with the top two teams from Luzon, Mindanao and Visayas.
Gregorio said they are also discussing possible sponsorship for a team from Negros Occidental with NOFA president Charlie Cojuangco.
For Maynilad, Gregorio said they might sponsor a team based in Alabang or Parañaque.
Inquirer.net
Smart Sports head Patrick Gregorio said Meralco, Maynilad, Smart and Cignal TV have signified their intention to sponsor a team each in the tournament.
Smart will be partnering with Kaya FC, the club team of Azkals skipper Aly Borromeo and Anton del Rosario.
Kaya plays in the United Football League, which will have two slots in the national tournament. The top two finishers in the UFL will gain berths to the finals, along with the top two teams from Luzon, Mindanao and Visayas.
Gregorio said they are also discussing possible sponsorship for a team from Negros Occidental with NOFA president Charlie Cojuangco.
For Maynilad, Gregorio said they might sponsor a team based in Alabang or Parañaque.
Inquirer.net
Cebuano Azkal signs deal with GS
By Mars G. Alison
Cebu Daily News
Having been away from Cebu since Jan. 17, goalkeeper Paolo Pascual, who made it to the Philippine men's national football team better known as the Azkals, is finally back home for a much needed one-week rest.
“There's no place like home...the feeling of peace and relaxation with my loved ones around,” said Pascual, who will be leaving back for Manila on the 19th for the Azkals training camp in Baguio.
The Philippine Azkals were given a one-week rest after winning their home game, 2-0, against Mongolia at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City for the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 pre-qualifying playoff last Feb. 9.
They will go back to training in Baguio City in preparation for their away game in Ulan Bator, Mongolia on March 15, wherein they hope to protect their 2-0 win and become one of the four teams who will qualify for the 16-team group phase.
It has been one dizzying ride for the former University of San Carlos (USC) goalkeeper, who left Cebu not really expecting to make the national team.
“I did not believe that I would get in. I just tried out to show that I was interested,” said Pascual, who was previously called twice to tryout for the Azkals but was never able to take the opportunity because of school obligations.
RELOCATED
Pascual has recently signed a one-season contract with the Global Smartmatic Football Club.
He was supposed to start playing for Global as soon as he got back to Manila. But since training camp in Baguio will already start, he will have to go with the Azkals first.
Having fulfilled his dream, though, comes with a high price as Pascual would have to relocate to Manila, which means being away from his parents.
He has already withdrawn his subjects at USC, where he is a junior Business Administration student. Aside from working on his football career, Pascual will also finish his studies in Manila.
Pascual said he has never trained as hard in his life until he became an Azkal. In Bacolod, they trained for two hours everyday.
“We do warm-ups, tacticals then skills training. It's more pressure, you are pushed to your limits, it's harder,” Pascual said.
He said that when he first started playing football, he never expected to play for the national team until he reached highschool wherein he had gathered several experience already playing the sport.
Pascual is very proud of representing Cebu in the team and has become an inspiration of many here who have aspired of becoming a professional football player, which he said, gives him a little room for errors.
Pascual said the experience has been great so far but according to German coach Hans Michael Weiss, the young Cebuano needs to beef up and build more muscles.
Pascual said that not being chosen as the no. 1 goalkeeper has also been a learning experience and he does not feel bad about it because he is now playing in a higher level.
Prior to becoming an Azkal, Pascual was chosen as the no.1 goalkeeper of the RP U19, which saw action in China in 2009.
Cebu Daily News
Having been away from Cebu since Jan. 17, goalkeeper Paolo Pascual, who made it to the Philippine men's national football team better known as the Azkals, is finally back home for a much needed one-week rest.
“There's no place like home...the feeling of peace and relaxation with my loved ones around,” said Pascual, who will be leaving back for Manila on the 19th for the Azkals training camp in Baguio.
The Philippine Azkals were given a one-week rest after winning their home game, 2-0, against Mongolia at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City for the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 pre-qualifying playoff last Feb. 9.
They will go back to training in Baguio City in preparation for their away game in Ulan Bator, Mongolia on March 15, wherein they hope to protect their 2-0 win and become one of the four teams who will qualify for the 16-team group phase.
It has been one dizzying ride for the former University of San Carlos (USC) goalkeeper, who left Cebu not really expecting to make the national team.
“I did not believe that I would get in. I just tried out to show that I was interested,” said Pascual, who was previously called twice to tryout for the Azkals but was never able to take the opportunity because of school obligations.
RELOCATED
Pascual has recently signed a one-season contract with the Global Smartmatic Football Club.
He was supposed to start playing for Global as soon as he got back to Manila. But since training camp in Baguio will already start, he will have to go with the Azkals first.
Having fulfilled his dream, though, comes with a high price as Pascual would have to relocate to Manila, which means being away from his parents.
He has already withdrawn his subjects at USC, where he is a junior Business Administration student. Aside from working on his football career, Pascual will also finish his studies in Manila.
Pascual said he has never trained as hard in his life until he became an Azkal. In Bacolod, they trained for two hours everyday.
“We do warm-ups, tacticals then skills training. It's more pressure, you are pushed to your limits, it's harder,” Pascual said.
He said that when he first started playing football, he never expected to play for the national team until he reached highschool wherein he had gathered several experience already playing the sport.
Pascual is very proud of representing Cebu in the team and has become an inspiration of many here who have aspired of becoming a professional football player, which he said, gives him a little room for errors.
Pascual said the experience has been great so far but according to German coach Hans Michael Weiss, the young Cebuano needs to beef up and build more muscles.
Pascual said that not being chosen as the no. 1 goalkeeper has also been a learning experience and he does not feel bad about it because he is now playing in a higher level.
Prior to becoming an Azkal, Pascual was chosen as the no.1 goalkeeper of the RP U19, which saw action in China in 2009.
12 February 2011
PH Azkals eye Japan training
Cedelf P. Tupas
MANILA---The Philippines isn’t about to sit on its two-goal cushion when they face Mongolia again in their AFC Challenge Cup qualifying duel next month.
Underscoring the importance of the match in Ulan Bator on March 15, the Azkals have considered Japan as another possible site for training camp in preparation for the clash.
The Azkals dominated the Mongolians on their way to a 2-nil victory before 20,000 fans at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City Wednesday night.
“We might train in a city in Northern Japan where conditions are closely similar to Mongolia,” team manager Dan Palami said yesterday.
Palami said holding training camp in Japan is a fallback if a practice field will be unavailable for the use of the Azkals in Ulan Bator.
“As far as we know there is only one playing field in Ulan Bator,” said Palami, who single-handedly bankrolled the squad in 2010 when the team achieved unprecedented success.
Holding training camps in Japan is not new for the Philippines since some of its national teams have undergone training at the facility of the Japan Football Association in Fukushima.
The Philippine Football Federation has recently renewed ties with the JFA for a possible assistance package for grassroots and coaches’ development as well as help for the national squad.
Palami disclosed that there is a strong possibility that Filipino-Danish player Jerry Lucena will be able to play for the Azkals in Mongolia.
A central midfielder, the 30-year-old Lucena is a veteran of the Danish first division and trained with the Azkals three times while they were in Bacolod.
But Palami expressed doubts on the availability of another Fil-Danish standout, Dennis Cagara, who is still recovering from an injury.
Palami hopes he will have all the players from the team that played in Bacolod for the second leg.
“I think if we have all our players back, we will stand a good chance of beating Mongolia again,” said Palami.
The winner of the Mongolia-Philippines qualifying tie will move to the second stage of qualifying in Chittagong, where it will meet Bangladesh, Palestine and Myanmar.
inquirer.net
MANILA---The Philippines isn’t about to sit on its two-goal cushion when they face Mongolia again in their AFC Challenge Cup qualifying duel next month.
Underscoring the importance of the match in Ulan Bator on March 15, the Azkals have considered Japan as another possible site for training camp in preparation for the clash.
The Azkals dominated the Mongolians on their way to a 2-nil victory before 20,000 fans at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City Wednesday night.
“We might train in a city in Northern Japan where conditions are closely similar to Mongolia,” team manager Dan Palami said yesterday.
Palami said holding training camp in Japan is a fallback if a practice field will be unavailable for the use of the Azkals in Ulan Bator.
“As far as we know there is only one playing field in Ulan Bator,” said Palami, who single-handedly bankrolled the squad in 2010 when the team achieved unprecedented success.
Holding training camps in Japan is not new for the Philippines since some of its national teams have undergone training at the facility of the Japan Football Association in Fukushima.
The Philippine Football Federation has recently renewed ties with the JFA for a possible assistance package for grassroots and coaches’ development as well as help for the national squad.
Palami disclosed that there is a strong possibility that Filipino-Danish player Jerry Lucena will be able to play for the Azkals in Mongolia.
A central midfielder, the 30-year-old Lucena is a veteran of the Danish first division and trained with the Azkals three times while they were in Bacolod.
But Palami expressed doubts on the availability of another Fil-Danish standout, Dennis Cagara, who is still recovering from an injury.
Palami hopes he will have all the players from the team that played in Bacolod for the second leg.
“I think if we have all our players back, we will stand a good chance of beating Mongolia again,” said Palami.
The winner of the Mongolia-Philippines qualifying tie will move to the second stage of qualifying in Chittagong, where it will meet Bangladesh, Palestine and Myanmar.
inquirer.net
Azkals’ could belong to Southeast Asia’s top 3 teams
BUSINESSMAN Manny V. Pangilinan expressed confidence that the Philippine men’s football team better known as “Azkals” would soon belong to the top three football teams in Southeast Asia. Pangilinan is set to make formal a 10-year support program for Philippine football amounting to a P80 million.
Pangilinan, who led the unveiling of the MVP Sports Foundation Inc. at the Meralco Multipurpose Hall Friday evening, said that he is not giving away a huge amount of money for nothing but for the goal of making the Philippine football team among the top three teams in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region.
“For football, the goal is to be in the top 3 in Southeast Asia. Why? We’ve lost to the top team Indonesia, 1- 0, twice. That’s not a fluke. This gives me reason to believe we can be among the best in the region,” said Pangilinan.
Also present in the occasion was Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano Araneta as well as some members of the Azkals.
He said that under an agreement with the PFF, they will be funding the Azkals campaigns in various international tournaments and will help bankroll the formation of a Filipino premiere football league to provide opportunities of exposure to local players.
“The time is certainly ripe for us to appreciate, love and support this universally loved sports of football. Thanks to the PFF and our premier football team Azkals, we have come to realize that Filipinos can be competitive in this sport,” stressed Pangilinan.
Besides football, the MVP sports foundation will also be supporting seven other sports including basketball, boxing, cycling, tae kwon do, badminton, tennis and running.
FRANK CALAPRE
Manila Times
Pangilinan, who led the unveiling of the MVP Sports Foundation Inc. at the Meralco Multipurpose Hall Friday evening, said that he is not giving away a huge amount of money for nothing but for the goal of making the Philippine football team among the top three teams in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region.
“For football, the goal is to be in the top 3 in Southeast Asia. Why? We’ve lost to the top team Indonesia, 1- 0, twice. That’s not a fluke. This gives me reason to believe we can be among the best in the region,” said Pangilinan.
Also present in the occasion was Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano Araneta as well as some members of the Azkals.
He said that under an agreement with the PFF, they will be funding the Azkals campaigns in various international tournaments and will help bankroll the formation of a Filipino premiere football league to provide opportunities of exposure to local players.
“The time is certainly ripe for us to appreciate, love and support this universally loved sports of football. Thanks to the PFF and our premier football team Azkals, we have come to realize that Filipinos can be competitive in this sport,” stressed Pangilinan.
Besides football, the MVP sports foundation will also be supporting seven other sports including basketball, boxing, cycling, tae kwon do, badminton, tennis and running.
FRANK CALAPRE
Manila Times
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